Lawmakers Table Proposed Schuyler Co. 2012 Budget

MONTOUR FALLS, N.Y. - It's back to the drawing board for next year's Schuyler County Budget. County legislators Monday night voted 5 to 3 to table a vote on the budget that calls for a 2.2% percent tax increase.

The decision to postpone a vote came after a public hearing where neighbors voiced objections to the tax hike. Schuyler County officials say the county has the largest growth of sales tax so far this year over any other county in the state.

Among those who supported the proposed budget and its tax hike was legislator Glenn Larison of Odessa. Larison said "We can't cut the whole thing. We have to do our job which is to perform services for the community and that's what I will vote for."

Legislator Barbara Halpin, also of Odessa disagreed and said, "I am just totally opposed to raising taxes when we already recognize and acknowledge, almost on a daily basis, that they're too high already."

Total spending in the proposed budget that was tabled is actually less than the current budget. Despite the growth in sales tax, overall projected county revenues for next year are down.

Reported by: Jeff Stone
Email: JStone@WETMTV.com
Published: 11/14 11:44 pm